If you are considering buyback which cars are you looking at as replacements?

[halfast3]

Modern hatches aren't much better.
They make the darn things so narrow at the top that even if it looks like it could fit, and even if it actually could fit once you get it through the door, it won't actually fit.
My '98 beetle with a 4x8 utility trailer is the best hauler. Although in a post-dieselgate era I have been strapping things to the roof of our JSW.
In the past month we've tossed a bunk bed and crib on the roof and both times the sellers offered to deliver them with their trucks and watched slack-jawed as I nonchalantly tied them to the roof racks

Our 5x8 utility trailer gets a lot of use too, in fact we hauled and spread a yard of crushed rock this morning (groan!).
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I used to have a '66 Dodge van, you know the shorty one with the 90" wheelbase. So I'm at the loading dock of the local ladder mfg, picking up a 24' extension ladder. It's lunch time on a nice day and about half the crew is out sunning themselves and having a real chuckle watching me carry the ladder out to said van. I give them a wave, open the rear doors and stick the ladder in the back, poke the end out the sunroof the PO had installed, slam the rear doors and drive off to a standing ovation

 

[speedrye]

Our 5x8 utility trailer gets a lot of use too, in fact we hauled and spread a yard of crushed rock this morning (groan!).
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I used to have a '66 Dodge van, you know the shorty one with the 90" wheelbase. So I'm at the loading dock of the local ladder mfg, picking up a 24' extension ladder. It's lunch time on a nice day and about half the crew is out sunning themselves and having a real chuckle watching me carry the ladder out to said van. I give them a wave, open the rear doors and stick the ladder in the back, poke the end out the sunroof the PO had installed, slam the rear doors and drive off to a standing ovation

That's officer-level thinking right there!

 

[halfast3]

Thanks for the feedback! I doubt I'll be able to test drive the manual but I will definitely try out the automatic before committing. I live on a hill so I need to be able to downshift in the winter going downhill, and I like the control of deciding what gear to be in going uphill. I've never tried the paddle shifters before so I'm interested to see how it feels. Now to wait for it to be available on the Mazda website!
Still considering the gas Golf and the Chevy Cruz hatchback but I'm betting the Mazda 3 will win. I had a Blazer in the late 90's and swore off Chevys because of all the problems I had, but it's been a long time since then so they may be more reliable these days. I think the gas Golf will just be a constant reminder of what I lost in the TDI. The GTI didn't impress me for the price when I had it as a loaner recently but I do love the plaid seats. Also, no heated steering wheel in the Golf, but it is an option in the Cruz and the Mazda 3.

I'd definately wait for the 2017 Mazdas. The 3 & 6 will both get G-Vectoring Control which will make them handle even better. http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a29737/how-mazda-g-vectoring-works/

 

[bennybmn]

I'd definately wait for the 2017 Mazdas. The 3 & 6 will both get G-Vectoring Control which will make them handle even better. http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a29737/how-mazda-g-vectoring-works/

That's what has me intrigued as well.

 

[yankees25]

I was considering a custom paint job for my jsw before turn in...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Here's how mine will look when I turn it in.

 

[Evildad]

Funny to see what people are replacing their TDIs with. The replacements are so far afield from TDIs I wonder why they bought one in the first place.

I wanted the TDI, but my actual priorities were:
1. Wagon
2. Stick
3. TDI
I got lucky and found them all in a not-quite-three year old TDI with a CPO warranty, AND while I was standing there the guy dropped the price another thousand without me asking.
Anyway, my priorities haven't changed, except now it's
3. Heated seats
Which is why I will probably not buy a Jetta wagon (because the manual is only available in the base trim level with heated seats unavailable), and why I will wait to try out an Alltrack before making any other decisions. The Alltrack seems similar to the TDI in standard comfort items like heated seats. If I like it, I may wait until the manual Alltracks get here.
I'm not in a hurry to unload my TDI, unlike others here. I honestly hate buying cars.

 

[speedrye]

I wanted the TDI, but my actual priorities were:
1. Wagon
2. Stick
3. TDI
I got lucky and found them all in a not-quite-three year old TDI with a CPO warranty, AND while I was standing there the guy dropped the price another thousand without me asking.
Anyway, my priorities haven't changed, except now it's
3. Heated seats
Which is why I will probably not buy a Jetta wagon (because the manual is only available in the base trim level with heated seats unavailable), and why I will wait to try out an Alltrack before making any other decisions. The Alltrack seems similar to the TDI in standard comfort items like heated seats. If I like it, I may wait until the manual Alltracks get here.
I'm not in a hurry to unload my TDI, unlike others here. I honestly hate buying cars.

Aftermarket heated seats are an inexpensive option. Two hours of my time, under $100 and I've been enjoying the eBay heated seats in my FJ for the past three years with no issues. I picked a set that had switches similar to my stock switches and you'd be hard-pressed to tell me they weren't stock.

Disclaimer: Not sure if aftermarket heated seats are a problem for VW airbag sensors like they are in newer Subarus.

 

[halfast3]

Amen! WTH are the designers thinking? I saw a new Prius the other day, and against all odds, they actually made it uglier.

In the same light, the new Honda Civic's 'boy-racer' styling comes to mind. The 1.5T is actually not a bad ride but our teen years are distant memories, when we remember them at all.

 

[ottomatic]

I'd definately wait for the 2017 Mazdas. The 3 & 6 will both get G-Vectoring Control which will make them handle even better. http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a29737/how-mazda-g-vectoring-works/

I'd rather have this:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/news/a30987/skodas-us-entry-not-priority/

 

[2015golfwagon]

Seems like the Volvo might be a good choice, I'm sure it's been talked about already in this thread but the V60 might be a good replacement for the Jetta/Golf wagons.

 

[AeroScott]

Seems like the Volvo might be a good choice, I'm sure it's been talked about already in this thread but the V60 might be a good replacement for the Jetta/Golf wagons.

The Volvo V60 and V60 Cross Country caught my eye until I compared their rear seat legroom and cargo capacity to my 2010 Jetta sedan. The XC70 was my only option to get the room I wanted, and I'm absolutely loving it!

 

[JGEO]

My wife and I just ordered a 2017 Honda Accord V6 Touring. We have two accords and a civic for our kids and have had good dependability. We love our Passat TDI, but decided we did not want to deal with the uncertainty regarding the possible fix and we wanted to get it done sooner rather than later.

 

[mopower]

I posted in the MK6 forum before I noticed the much more active thread here. I'm pretty interested in a Subaru Outback. I'm waiting for the dealer to call me when they unload one with an H6 so I can give it a drive before I decide. I drove the Forester and really like it, but the extra few inches they added to the Outback back in 2010 will help out my rear facing carseats over the older models and the Forester.

 

[avid]

My wife and I just ordered a 2017 Honda Accord V6 Touring.

Since it is nearly the same price did you consider the Accord Hybrid Touring?

 

[pparks1]

Since it is nearly the same price did you consider the Accord Hybrid Touring?

I know you were talking to the poster above, but I wanted to get the Hybrid Accord myself. But the trunk space was too small, and it had NO PASS THROUGH at all.

 

[avid]

I know you were talking to the poster above, but I wanted to get the Hybrid Accord myself. But the trunk space was too small, and it had NO PASS THROUGH at all.

Glad for any input, thanks. I was pretty solid on a Accord but undecided between hybrid and V6 until I drove the new VW Alltrack yesterday. VROOM! The DW isn't as convinced so the Accord is still under discussion.

 

[GEE-BEE]

Iam returning both of my 2010 jetta tdi cup's

Found 2011 997C4S with man trans and all options with only 8k miles

so returning both as I own them ,Iam only spending 24 k for a 997 that is CPO'

I have made 4k on these cars in two years...

GB

 

[halfast3]

I know you were talking to the poster above, but I wanted to get the Hybrid Accord myself. But the trunk space was too small, and it had NO PASS THROUGH at all.

Sadly, we drew the same conclusion. On paper, I liked the economy and range but the tiny trunk is a no go. We actually didn't drive it after seeing the trunk but one would assume it would drive like a Honda, which, while not a VW or Mazda, would be OK. The Civic's chassis dynamics seemed OK.

 

[tanner]

Now i'm all confused on what I want. My friend ordered a 2017 F250 Platinum Fully loaded 4 months ago and I heard a slip that he did, but wasn't for certain. This week he comes by the house and lets me drive it.

Holy hell that thing is luxurious. You guys ever gotten a booty and back massage after a hard days work.

Diesel Power, it's just money 70k bye bye. lol

 

[pparks1]

Sadly, we drew the same conclusion. On paper, I liked the economy and range but the tiny trunk is a no go. We actually didn't drive it after seeing the trunk but one would assume it would drive like a Honda, which, while not a VW or Mazda, would be OK. The Civic's chassis dynamics seemed OK.

I actually like the way my Honda drives. The steering feels a lot better to me than my VW's did. It's quieter inside too.

I didn't drive the Hybrid either, there was no way the trunk would do. We use my car for family vacations and my daughter does competitive dance. We need to be able to pack in a lot of stuff when we travel.

 

[kjclow]

The Volvo V60 and V60 Cross Country caught my eye until I compared their rear seat legroom and cargo capacity to my 2010 Jetta sedan. The XC70 was my only option to get the room I wanted, and I'm absolutely loving it!

I had a v60 cross country for a rental a few weeks ago. Seemed like a fairly good replacement for the JSW. Didn't have anything with me, such as my bike, to see how it would fit. Rode fairly nice and seemed quieter than the JSW. Also had all the toys like adaptive cruise. Car would slow if someone slowed in front of me. I would probably go with the regular model as I really don't have a need to awd.

 

[halfast3]

I actually like the way my Honda drives. The steering feels a lot better to me than my VW's did. It's quieter inside too.
I didn't drive the Hybrid either, there was no way the trunk would do. We use my car for family vacations and my daughter does competitive dance. We need to be able to pack in a lot of stuff when we travel.

Agreed as to Honda passenger cars. We had a very early production '06 Ridgeline which handled very well too. But, our daughter has a few-years-old Pilot which is a pig by comparison and I've read that the latest Pilot doesn't handle as well as its predecessor. That's a little scary.
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Have you driven your Accord enough to have a handle on real world MPG?

 

[pparks1]

Agreed as to Honda passenger cars. We had a very early production '06 Ridgeline which handled very well too. But, our daughter has a few-years-old Pilot which is a pig by comparison and I've read that the latest Pilot doesn't handle as well as its predecessor. That's a little scary.
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Have you driven your Accord enough to have a handle on real world MPG?

I've put about 1,800 miles on it now. Wife and I both drive it. I drive it easy as I want the best fuel mileage possible. Wife couldn't care less. We both have it on eco mode, and it's the I4 with the CVT.

On my tank that was about 150 highway miles and 350 city miles, I got 34.7MPG. My last tank was 451 miles, no highway at all, and it was 30.78.

On my TDI, I would have gotten about 42 on the 150/350 tank and only 451 with no highway I would have gotten about 38.

According to Fuelly, my average is 31.2MPG thus far. With a cost of 6.8c per mile. My average on 52,000 miles on the TDI was 40.3 with a cost of 7.9c per mile.

So, overall, bottom line over 1,800 miles is that I've saved about 1800 cents, or $18.

 

[MD Vet]

Found my ideal replacement car this weekend. It is 1.5 hours away so I didn't have a chance to go see it in person, but i'm betting it will meet my standards.

My problem is this
- I don't have the cash to get this car now, but I will once the buyback happens
- It took me about 2 months to find this thing
- I am pretty sure it will be gone before the end of November
- I drive so many miles per month that I lose value on the TDI buyback quickly, thus I need to offload this thing quick (I can't sit-n-wait to find another "ideal" replacement)

So my options are...
1) buy now on a loan and float the payments until I can sell back the TDI = risky for my monthly budget
2) just wait and see what happens = may lose an opportunity and have to "settle" for something else
3) try to work out a deposit or something for the dealer to hold on to it for me

Does anyone have experience with #3, putting some amount of cash down for the dealer to hold the car until the buyback happens? Seems like bad business for the dealer to hold a car for 2, 3, or even 4 months. I mean, who knows when an individual TDI will actually get processed? I read on here that some people who have called the help-desk (for the settlement page) have been told that late November is when the cash flow will start.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

pparks1 does your cost per mile comparison between your Passat and the Accord take into account that fuel prices were higher when you started driving the Passat? It might be more valid to compare cost per mile using the total gallons and current prices for RUG and Diesel.

When I look at my Fuelly for my wagon I'm surprised at the average fuel price, over $4. I think sometimes Fuelly captures that info wrong.

 

[k1xv]

MD Vet, if a car is offered for sale, holding it for a buyer for months puts the seller at risk of loss of value to depreciation if you do not follow through. Plus, the longer the dealer must hold a car, the more financing cost the dealer incurs.

I don't know how much money is involved on your buyback or to purchase this replacement. Or what makes this car so unique that there is no possibility of finding another. Possibilities you may consider are:

A credit card cash advance at a promotional "balance transfer" rate for a few months. I have credit cards offering me 0% for a year, with a transaction fee of 2-3%

Offering the dealer a non-refundable deposit, so that if you cancel, he does not lose out on depreciation incurred over the three or so months he is holding the car.

But frankly, without knowing what this replacement car is, you may be misjudging the ability to find another one when you have your buyback cash.

 

[HBarlow]

I agree with k1xv's detailed advice above.

The only way to know what a dealer is willing to do is ask. The dealer might accept a significant non-refundable deposit with a written agreement detailing when the purchase must be completed or deposit is forfeited. But I doubt it.

A dealer is not likely to accept those terms. If it's a VW dealer the dealership has already suffered a year of significant losses and is facing end of year profit/loss statements and tax obligations. Careers are made or ended with annual profit/loss statements. Investors could back out as well if the dealer's results are in the red.

There is significant risk to you if you take out a loan knowing you can't afford the payments and to anyone who agrees to hold a car for you. Various things could go wrong with an agreement predicated on the buy back offer from VWoA.

Perhaps the best plan is wait until you have cash in hand. Cars are at their core nothing more than transportation devices. They're all similar if not identical.

 

[kjclow]

MD Vet, If the buyback is going to take at least two more months before people see cash in hand, then why not try to order that same vehicle locally? Time and monay may work out better.

 

[lvfnchs]

I'd definately wait for the 2017 Mazdas. The 3 & 6 will both get G-Vectoring Control which will make them handle even better. http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a29737/how-mazda-g-vectoring-works/

Thanks, I'm getting excited about this too! It is so odd that they have 2017's on the lot, but you still can't see or configure them online. How is that even possible? I'm probably going to go with a manual again, I can't imagine paddle shifters will give me the same level of control on the hills in the winter.

 

[lrpavlo]

I have to admit, Golf sportwagen with the 1.8T goes OK, but why can't I get it with the DSG? Why did they make the tank 13 gallons? Why do I have to get the roof to get the other options I want like Lights & leatherette!!! I will miss the sure feeling I get on the road with the VW but I want what I want!!!
I've sat in the Kia Niro, it's a little smaller, but I think it will fit the bill. Hoping the 195 ft/lb of torque will let me get onto the road with my board on the roof without getting killed after I paddle! What are you supposed to do with that fob when you are paddling in Salt water?